Winemaker Notes
Avatar spends 18 months maturing in neutral old hogsheads. This patience provides Avatar with a slightly more brooding, savoury nose, emphasizing the earthy undertones of the Mataro, rather than the sweet fruit of the Grenache. The tannins have also been given the opportunity to complex, giving a fine, elegant and silky structure to the palate. The wine finishes clean and well balanced.
"Distinctive and well-defined. Blueberry and plum flavors get all kinds of shadings, with hints of game meats, pepper and pomegranate that linger beautifully. Grenache, Mataro and Shiraz. Drink now through 2014."
91 Points
Wine Spectator
October 15, 2006
Professional Ratings
With bold fruit flavors and accents of sweet spice, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre form the base of the classic Rhône Red Blend, while Carignan, Cinsault and Counoise often come in to play. Though they originated from France’s southern Rhône Valley, with some creative interpretation, Rhône blends have also become popular in other countries. Somm Secret—Putting their own local spin on the Rhône Red Blend, those from Priorat often include Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. In California, it is not uncommon to see Petite Sirah make an appearance.
Historically and presently the most important wine-producing region of Australia, the Barossa Valley is set in the Barossa zone of South Australia, where more than half of the country’s wine is made. Because the climate is very hot and dry, vineyard managers work diligently to ensure grapes reach the perfect levels of phenolic ripeness.
The intense heat is ideal for plush, bold reds, particularly Shiraz on its own or Rhône Blends. Often Shiraz and Cabernet partner up for plump and powerful reds.
While much less prevalent, light-skinned varieties such as Riesling, Viognier or Semillon produce vibrant Barossa Valley whites.
Most of Australia’s largest wine producers are based here and Shiraz plantings date back as far as the 1850s or before. Many of them are dry farmed and bush trained, still offering less than one ton per acre of inky, intense, purple juice.